BOTTOM-AGE stars Josh Smillie and Jagga Smith are climbing the Rookie Me Central Medal leaderboard after looking a level above in their Round 12 outings. While absent for the weekend’s play, both midfielders have improved their positions since our last update.

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Smillie is now clear in second spot, just four points off runaway leader Colby McKercher after his best afield outing against Geelong on July 2. On the same day, Smith also collected five votes in a win over Western to put him level with Darcy Wilson at equal-fourth.

Ahead of the latter pair is top 10 prospect Zane Duursma, rounding out an uber-talented podium. The top 10 charts are again extended to 11 names this time around, with four players tied for equal-eighth on a respectable 16 votes each.

Essendon Next Generation Academy member Ryan Eyre is among them and takes the lead as Calder’s top poller. Richmond father-son candidate Charlie Naish did the same for Northern, as did Player of the Week Cooper Hynes for Dandenong, though both remain a couple of votes off the leading pack.

>> CTL Round 13: Snapshot | POTW | TOTW | Scouting Notes

ROUND 13 VOTES

Western Jets 6.6 (42) def. by Northern Knights 11.14 (80)

5 – K. Ferronato (Northern Knights)
4 – J. Petric (Western Jets)
3 – C. Naish (Northern Knights)
2 – J. Dattoli (Northern Knights)
1 – K. Lawson (Northern Knights)

Geelong Falcons 9.8 (62) def. Gippsland Power 3.6 (24)

5 – T. Murray (Geelong Falcons)
4 – P. Hughes (Geelong Falcons)
3 – X. Lindsay (Gippsland Power)
2 – T. Hanily (Gippsland Power)
1 – Z. McInnes (Geelong Falcons)

Dandenong Stingrays 8.7 (55) def. by Sandringham Dragons 11.11 (77)

5 – C. Hynes (Dandenong Stingrays)
4 – H. Langford (Dandenong Stingrays)
3 – C. Edwards (Sandringham Dragons)
2 – C. Lord (Sandringham Dragons)
1 – A. May (Sandringham Dragons)

Bendigo Pioneers 12.9 (81) def. Calder Cannons 9.9 (63)

5 – H. Byrne (Bendigo Pioneers)
4 – H. Garcia (Calder Cannons)
3 – M. Doddos (Bendigo Pioneers)
2 – C. Bolmat (Calder Cannons)
1 – J. Shanahan (Bendigo Pioneers)

GWV Rebels 14.14 (98) def. Murray Bushrangers 3.7 (25)

5 – O. Hannaford (GWV Rebels)
4 – B. Wright (GWV Rebels)
3 – C. Byrne (GWV Rebels)
2 – R. Unwin (GWV Rebels)
1 – W. Rantall (GWV Rebels)

RMC MEDAL LEADERBOARDS

TOP 10 PLAYERS

1. Colby McKercher (Tasmania Devils) – 30 votes
2. Josh Smillie (Eastern Ranges) – 26
3. Zane Duursma (Gippsland Power) – 21
=4. Jagga Smith (Oakleigh Chargers) – 20
=4. Darcy Wilson (Murray Bushrangers) – 20
6. Logan Morris (Western Jets) – 18
7. George Stevens (GWV Rebels) – 17
=8. Will Brown (Sandringham Dragons) – 16
=8. Ryan Eyre (Calder Cannons) – 16
=8. Harley Reid (Bendigo Pioneers) – 16
=8. Jake Smith (Western Jets) – 16

BEST BY CLUB

Lions Academy: Sam Marshall (5)
Bendigo Pioneers: Harley Reid (16)
Calder Cannons: Ryan Eyre (16)
Dandenong Stingrays: Cooper Hynes (15)
Eastern Ranges: Josh Smillie (26)
Suns Academy: Jed Walter (11)
Geelong Falcons: Angus Hastie (15)
Gippsland Power: Zane Duursma (21)
Giants Academy: Harvey Thomas (5)
GWV Rebels: George Stevens (17)
Murray Bushrangers: Darcy Wilson (20)
Northern Knights: Charlie Naish (14)
Northern Territory: Orlando Turner (2)
Oakleigh Chargers: Jagga Smith (20)
Sandringham Dragons: Will Brown (16)
Swans Academy: Indhi Kirk (13)
Tasmania Devils: Colby McKercher (30)
Western Jets: Logan Morris (18)

VOTES BY CLUB

Lions Academy – 12
Bendigo Pioneers – 70
Calder Cannons – 75
Dandenong Stingrays – 74
Eastern Ranges – 78
Suns Academy – 45
Geelong Falcons – 76
Gippsland Power – 61
Giants Academy – 12
GWV Rebels – 75
Murray Bushrangers – 62
Northern Knights – 66
Northern Territory – 3
Oakleigh Chargers – 59
Sandringham Dragons – 67
Swans Academy – 37
Tasmania Devils – 90
Western Jets – 56